How To See November's Supermoon

Though it might be hard to miss, you'll definitely want to mark your calendar so that you know how to see the November supermoon when it happens in, well, November. Back by popular demand, and also lunar cycles I guess, the supermoon will soon grace our skies with its grandiose fantastical self. And while you might be jaded by all of the exciting sky-gazing opportunities you've had this fall — from blue moons to black moons — nothing beats the supermoon.

Turns out, the supermoon will be pretty easy to see: It'll be huge, and very visible to the naked eye. Just be sure to be outside on the eve of Nov. 14, 2016. What's extra super about this month's supermoon, is that it's the most super supermoon since 1948, the biggest appearance the moon has made in nearly 70 years. Think of all the times you've used the word "astronomical" to describe something of great size or value — this supermoon will give you an opportunity to finally see something that is by definition, astronomical.

On the eve of Nov. 14, the moon will appear up to 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than the average full moon because it will be less than 223,694 miles from the center of the Earth. A typical full moon is 248,548 miles from the center of the Earth. The moon being an extra 24,854 miles closer to the Earth will make a big, bright difference in our skies. Furthermore, a supermoon only occurs when the moon becomes full at the same time as its perigee — which is the point in the moon's orbit when it is nearest to Earth. So, this event involves a lot of space choreography in order to create a good show for us here on Earth. This is why it's so important to take the time to appreciate it and be present.

You certainly won't want to miss this record-breaking, penultimate supermoon, because if you do, you'll have to wait until Nov. 25, 2034 to see anything like it again. While the moon's great events are mostly attuned to patterns, some of the most exciting ones are spaced out with decades between. So make sure you get outside as the sun begins to set and find a nice and cozy place to look up. You won't need a telescope or binoculars or fancy camera lens to see this sight — truly, it will be hard to miss it.

Get together with some friends on the roof if you live in the city, have a night picnic in a field if you live in the country, just make sure you get out there and spend sometime gawking at space and howling at this super duper moon.